base-ment or NO base-ment for house in Maine (living, prices)

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by AliceT

These are the things elderly people think of after they can no longer visit their basements.

That's it Gramma, you're going to the basement until you can learn to be less cranky.

[msina]

LOL Zymer!! It really makes more sense in some situations. We aren't kids and mobility is becoming an issue, particularly with narrow cellah stairs in old houses.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Most properties in Maine will accommodate a walk-out basement. You can walk down a nice sloping walk and never need to use stairs.

[moughie]

A ranch with a walk-out basement would be ideal for " seniors"!

[rico304]

I built a spec house last year and the walk out basement was a HUGE plus.
Even if stairs aren't your friend, it is a great place to have your furnace, oil tank, water tank etc etc. Just as stated earlier, you never know what life is going to deal to us. Even if don't ever plan on visiting our basement, it will assist in selling.
That being said, I know of many houses that do not have basements and sold quickly. It is not a "must have", just a "nice to have".
If you don't really want a basement or your land doesn't work for a basement I wouldn't worry that much about it. Just plan for the above mentioned things to be upstairs (or in your garage)
A nicely built/designed house is MUCH more important. Good windows/doors/hardware/KITCHEN setup (huge) etc is what really sells houses. (in my opinion) hahaha Which is equal to..... not much. hahaha

[mollysmiles]

I live in a "split level", so the basement is finished. We have a two car garage, with a finished room over that. I miss having a basement....I'm forever trying to find places for "basement" stash.....paint cans with the little bit of touch up paint there in the bottom, an old chair that needs recaning....the oil tank is behind the closet doors in the downstairs, the boiler is behind another set of doors....now I admit, this house was not well thought out and planned to take advantage of the space, and I've said that before, so that is part of the problem....but I need a place to hide some of that stuff!! The house in Eastport has a basement, the foundation is going to need some work eventually, but right now it's cool to go down there. I knew and loved the people who lived there when I was little, and it's very sweet to go into the basement and see her old canning jars sitting there in the old jelly cupboards

[BacktoNE]

We are hoping to build a ranch with a walk out basement, eventually. We both have bad needs so the gradual sloping entrance would be perfect for us. That's down the road though.

A well insulated & heated garage can accomodate a lot of the same things as a basement, but for some reason, doesn't have the same appeal for me. I like my garage to be immaculate and not a "clutter catcher". But thats just me.

[moughie]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

I knew and loved the people who lived there when I was little, and it's very sweet to go into the basement and see her old canning jars sitting there in the old jelly cupboards

Awwwww, nice memories. How wonderful you own the home of people you knew in your childhood!

[BacktoNE]

And how cool that the jelly cupboards are still there! You're very lucky Molly.

[mollysmiles]

They were wonderful....I just loved them. My mother used to be best friends with one of their daughters growing up, and I was close friends with their grandchildren, who would come home holidays. When I was 3 my mother came out into the yard to discover that Charlie, then probably in his 60s, was outside helping me look for "Nancy". Mom said when she explained to Charlie that "Nancy" was my imaginary friend he laughed so hard he got tears in his eyes!